Summary of changes
R.C.M. 1209 — Finality of courts-martial
The text as it stood in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition beside the current text, provision by provision, with every recorded amendment and the authority behind it — the whole R.C.M. in one view.
5 amended
0 added
1 removed
8 unchanged
6 authority-backed edits · recorded
2026-07-14 – 2026-07-14
Authorities behind these changes
- Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) · Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20 · 6 changes
Showing every provision.
Provisions
1209(a)
unchanged
Original text
When a conviction is final.
Current text
When a conviction is final.
1209(a)(1)
unchanged
Original text
General and special courts-martial.
A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when—
Current text
General and special courts-martial.
A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when—
1209(a)(1)(A)
unchanged
Original text
Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65);
Current text
Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65);
1209(a)(1)(B)
unchanged
Original text
Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and—
Current text
Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and—
1209(a)(1)(B)(i)
amended
Version history
Original text
The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court;
Current text
The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or
All changes since the original (removed / added)
The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or |
||||
1209(a)(1)(B)(ii)
amended
Version history
Original text
Review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and—
Current text
The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and—
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
1209(a)(1)(B)(ii)(I)
amended
text identical
Version history
Original text
A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court;
Current text
A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court;
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
1209(a)(1)(B)(ii)(II)
amended
Version history
Original text
A petition for writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or
Current text
A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or
All changes since the original (removed / added)
A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or |
||||
1209(a)(1)(B)(ii)(III)
amended
text identical
Version history
Original text
Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Current text
Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court.
Step-by-step: 1 recorded edit
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
1209(a)(1)(B)(iii)(III)|D
unchanged
Original text
See R.C.M. 1201, 1203, 1204, and 1205 concerning cases subject to review by a Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Supreme Court. See also R.C.M. 1115 for waiver or withdrawal of appellate review.
Current text
See R.C.M. 1201, 1203, 1204, and 1205 concerning cases subject to review by a Court of Criminal Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Supreme Court. See also R.C.M. 1115 for waiver or withdrawal of appellate review.
1209(a)(2)
unchanged
Original text
Summary courts-martial.
A conviction in a summary court-martial is final when a judge advocate completes review under R.C.M. 1307(d) and no further action is required under R.C.M. 1307(e).
Current text
Summary courts-martial.
A conviction in a summary court-martial is final when a judge advocate completes review under R.C.M. 1307(d) and no further action is required under R.C.M. 1307(e).
1209(a)(2)|D
unchanged
Original text
Although a summary court-martial conviction is final under R.C.M. 1209(a)(2), an accused may petition for post-final review pursuant to R.C.M. 1307(h). See also R.C.M. 1201(h).
Current text
Although a summary court-martial conviction is final under R.C.M. 1209(a)(2), an accused may petition for post-final review pursuant to R.C.M. 1307(h). See also R.C.M. 1201(h).
1209(b)
unchanged
Original text
Effect of finality.
The appellate review of records of trial provided by the UCMJ, the proceedings, findings, and sentences of courts-martial as approved, reviewed, or affirmed as required by the UCMJ, and all dismissals and discharges carried into execution under sentences by courts-martial following approval, review, or affirmation as required by the UCMJ, are final and conclusive. The judgment of a court-martial and orders publishing the proceedings of courts-martial and all action taken pursuant to those proceedings are binding upon all departments, courts, agencies, and officers of the United States, subject only to action upon a petition for a new trial under Article 73, to action under Article 69, to action by the Secretary concerned as provided in Article 74, and the authority of the President.
Current text
Effect of finality.
The appellate review of records of trial provided by the UCMJ, the proceedings, findings, and sentences of courts-martial as approved, reviewed, or affirmed as required by the UCMJ, and all dismissals and discharges carried into execution under sentences by courts-martial following approval, review, or affirmation as required by the UCMJ, are final and conclusive. The judgment of a court-martial and orders publishing the proceedings of courts-martial and all action taken pursuant to those proceedings are binding upon all departments, courts, agencies, and officers of the United States, subject only to action upon a petition for a new trial under Article 73, to action under Article 69, to action by the Secretary concerned as provided in Article 74, and the authority of the President.
Provisions removed since the original
1209(a)(1)(B)(ii)
removed since original
Version history
Original text
A petition for review is denied or otherwise rejected by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; or
Text when removed
No longer in the current text.
The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and—
All changes since the original (removed / added)
Step-by-step: 2 recorded edits
| Version | Date | Authority | Note | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| v2 | 2026-07-14 | Exec. Order 14130 (Dec. 20, 2024) (Executive Order, eff. 2024-12-20) | Section 1. Part II of the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, is amended as follows: . . . (gg) R.C.M. 1209(a)(1) is amended to read as follows: "(1) General and special courts-martial. A conviction in a general or special court-martial is final when— (A) Review is completed under R.C.M. 1201(a) (Article 65); (B) Review is completed by a Court of Criminal Appeals and— (i) The accused does not file a timely petition for review by the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and the case is not otherwise under review by that court; or (ii) The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces refused to grant review of such a petition or review is completed in accordance with the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and— (I) A petition for a writ of certiorari is not filed within the time limits prescribed by the Supreme Court; (II) A petition for a writ of certiorari is denied or otherwise rejected by the Supreme Court; or (III) Review is otherwise completed in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court." | admin |
| v3 | 2026-07-14 | no authority cited | admin | |
“Original text” is the state captured the first time a provision was edited under change tracking — i.e. the text as published in the last Manual for Courts-Martial edition. Provisions edited without being “marked as changed” (typos, formatting) are not recorded here; see the recent revisions feed and the site-wide changes log.